Topic: Volunteering

Volunteering Costs

Anyone who has volunteered or been involved in training, placing, and managing volunteers knows that it can be costly. Volunteers often have to take time away from family or work to be available, as well as travel to and from work locations. With the present economy causing nonprofits to downsize their staff while the needs of communities keep racheting up, a bill has been presented to the U.S. House of Representatives to grant volunteers a tax deduction for miles driven for charitable causes. Click to learn more and to show your support for this bill.

Posted on Mar 24, 2011

Have Tent, Will Travel

Topics: Adventure, Retirement, Volunteering

An itinerant, footloose army of available and willing retirees in their 60s and 70s is making their way through the "wilderness", looking to stretch retirement dollars by volunteering to work in parks, campgrounds and wildlife sanctuaries, usually in exchange for camping space. Park and wildlife agencies say that retired volunteers have become all the more crucial as budget cuts have made it harder to keep parks open. Strap on that backpack and check out this affordable way to enjoy the outdoors.

Posted on Feb 19, 2010

Food, Sex, and Giving

Topics: Community Involvement, Contribution, Volunteering

This Op Ed by Nicholas Kristof provides a persuasive argument for "doing good." In considering what brings people happiness, he cites scientific evidence that shows that humans are hard-wired to be altruistic: when a research subject was encouraged to think of giving money to a charity, parts of the brain lit up that are normally associated with selfish pleasures like eating or sex. To put it another way, the most selfish thing you can do is to help other people. Let us know if you agree?

Posted on Jan 28, 2010

"Unsung Heroine" Award Nominations

Topics: Leadership Awards, Volunteering, Women

Do you know of one woman (or more) who have made significant contributions in advancing the cause of women, girls, and families in the Philadelphia area? If so, WOMEN'S Way wants you to submit nominations for the Unsung Heroine Award to be awarded at its Powerful Voices Event on May 12, 2010. Nominations must be in by 5:00 pm on Friday, January 8, 2010. If you don't have anyone to nominate but want to be considered for the selection committee, contact Cate Galbally at (215) 985-0333 x 226 or by e-mail.

Posted on Nov 10, 2009

Boom-ing Past the Parents

Topics: Boomers, Retirement, Volunteering

While many boomers are wondering if they will ever be able to retire, this article contends that a higher quality of life awaits 50+ers because of the new opportunities, innovations, and "heft" this generation carries. The future for baby boomers might be more about creating better relations with loved ones than acquiring fancy gadgets... and living a more interesting "later" life than their parents. Whether triggering a revolution in volunteering or in entrepreneurship, no one puts boomers in the corner!

Posted on Sep 29, 2009

United We Serve -- Get Involved!

Topics: Advocacy, Community, Volunteering

This summer, President Obama is calling on all of us – young and old, from every background, all across this country – to participate in our nation’s recovery and renewal by serving in our communities. From June 22 to September 11, United We Serve will begin to engage Americans from coast to coast in addressing community needs in education, health, energy and the environment, and community renewal. Click to register a project... or volunteer.

Posted on Jun 19, 2009

Make a Big Difference Team Scores Big

Topics: Nonprofits, Taxes, Volunteering

The numbers are impressive. For the second year, a Coming of Age Make a Big Difference Team helped connect lower income families to the tax returns and benefits for which they are eligible. Coming of Age volunteers were trained by Solutions for Progress and then matched with clients of Philadelphia-area nonprofit organizations. Here's the tally: 89 clients took part in the program, with 61 receiving federal refunds of $92,242 and 32 receiving state refunds of $6,705. The grand total is $98,947! The Team has, we think you'd agree, made a big difference!

Posted on Apr 27, 2009

National Service Spikes After Inauguration

Topics: National Service, Travel, Volunteering

Within two days of President Obama’s Inaugural Address, online applications to the Peace Corps spiked as many Americans responded to the call to serve. The President’s appeal resonated strongly with many people, including those 55 and older who are flocking to domestic and international volunteer programs. Some are motivated by a desire to do good, others by the weak job market and lagging business. Committing to a national service program is a great way to make contacts, learn skills and burnish a résumé during a career transition. Find out more about this trend.

Posted on Apr 5, 2009

Senators Casey and Specter Ask for Support

Topics: Legislation, National Service, Nonprofits, Volunteering

If you are interested in having the federal government expand the scope of national service programs and support nonprofits in building their capacity and increasing volunteer opportunities... contact Pennsylvania Senators Specter and Casey! The Senators are urging citizens to voice their support for the Baucus-Grassley Nonprofit Capacity Building Amendment to the Serve America Act. The Serve America Act (S.277) is currently being debated in the United States Senate; the House bill, called the GIVE Act has been passed with some restrictions. To learn more,

Posted on Mar 24, 2009

Flood of Volunteers Reflects the Times

Topics: Networking, Training, Volunteering

The rash of lay-offs that has come with our present economy has made volunteering at nonprofits a popular pursuit as reported in The New York Times. The newly unemployed, looking to keep busy, do good, and maybe network a little, are connecting with organizations in their communities to lend their services. Some nonprofits are wondering how to make use of this unexpected bounty. Coming of Age addresses how to do this successfully through its Learning Labs for nonprofits training. Click here for more information ...

Posted on Mar 18, 2009

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